Electric program-clock



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. BOBSIEN & s. L. PRAGER. ELECTRIC PROGRAM CLOCK.

No. 587,143. Patented July 27, 1897.

x if g 4* m/ VE/VTORS (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. BOBSIEN & S. L. PRAGER.

ELECTRIC PROGRAM CLOCK.

No. 587,143. Patented July 27, 1897.

0. w m m W/H Wm, f.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

ERNST BOBSIEN AND SIGMUND L. PRAGER, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC PROGRAM-CLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 587,148, dated July 27, 1897'.

Application filed February 8, 1897- Serial No. 622,423. (No model.)

To all 2072,0721, it may concern.

Be it known that we, Ennsr BoBsInN and SIGMUND L. Pnnenn, citizens of the United States, residing at Mount Vernon, in the county of Vestchester and State of New York,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Time-Signal Clocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electric timesignal clock; and the object of the invention is to indicate the time when working people are to begin and stop work in factories, shops, &;c., and it possesses the advantage that the alarm can be set for any time desired.

The invention consists of a clock provided with the usual clock-movement, dial, hands, &c., said dial being metallic and insulated and said hands being in electric connection with each other at their hubs, while the minute-hand is adapted to make electrical connection with raised contacts which are arranged systematically upon the face of the dial, the hour-hand being provided with a spring-actuated contact-piece which is adapted to make electrical connection with contact-pins that are mounted in an auxiliary or index dial, which is insulated from the minute-dial and provided with graduations corresponding to the hours, whichindex-dial is connected with one of the wires of an electric circuit in which is included a source of electricity and a bell, while the other wire of the circuit is in electrical connection with the .main dial of the clock, all as will be fully described hereinafter and then particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of an electric time-signal clock for employees, showing the battery and bell in circuit therewith. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of parts shown in Fig. 2 on the same section-line, showing the hourhand in a position nearer the observer. Fig. 4 is an enlarged under side view of the hourhand, showing the movable contact-finger thereon; and Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the casing of a clock, which contains the usual clock mechanism. (Not necessary to be shown.) The clock is provided with the usual dial B, excepting that said dial has a large central circular opening B, while the clock is further provided with the usual minute-hand O and hour-hand D for the purpose of sweeping around the dial and indicating the time in the usual manner.

The hour-hand is insulated from the tubular arbor O, which carries it, by means of an insulating-collar C while for the purpose of establishing electrical connection with the hour-hand D the hub of the minute-hand is provided with a contact-finger G which is always in contact with the hub of said hourhand. The minute-hand is also insulated, and this is accomplished by means of an insulating-sleeve D applied to the arbor O A metallic auxiliary or index dial F is set directly below the opening in the main dial at some distance from the same and is insulated and supported from the main dial by means of an interposed insulating-ring E, which is attached by means of suitable screws or fastenings to both dials. Rotatably-fixed contact-buttons G are journaled by their axes gin the auxiliary dial F, said buttons having eccentrically-arranged longitudinal projections g. The buttons G are shown as arranged opposite the hour marks or divisions.

The auxiliary dial F is electrically connected with one of the wires h of an electric circuit, in which is included an alarm J and a battery K, while the other wire 72. is electrically connected with the metallic main dial B.

The base portion of the clock has at one side thereof two binding-posts I 1, respectively, with which the wires h h of the electric circuit are connected, while above the posts is arranged a suitable switch S, the particular construction of which need not be shown, as it is well known, and the object of the same is simply to cut the clock into or out of circuit, whereby the alarm may or may not be sounded, as desired.

The minute-hand in sweeping around the dial comes successively in contact at its inper end with raised metallic contacts I) b b 5 which are arranged at equal distances apart around the edge of the dial and are 10- cated, respectively, opposite the numerals indicating the hours 12, 3, 6, and 9.

In the present instance twelve of the contact-buttons G are shown, but this number maybe varied in accordance with the requirements, as when the quarter-hours are to be sounded corresponding buttons must be arranged at the quarter-hour divisions shown on the auxiliary dial. Each side projection g on the buttons is adapted to be engaged by the movable contact (Z, pivoted at (Z on the under side of the hour-hand D only when a button is turned on its axis untilits projection is in the path of the contact- (Z. The engaging portion of the movable contact has a taperin g point d, which is bent down and away from the hourhand, while the rear end of the movable contact (Z has a pin-and-slot connection (Z with a returning-spring (Z fixed at its inner end to the hour-hand, the object of this spring being to return the movable contact (Z in line with the hour-hand after it has been deflected by contact with the projection g.

Supposing the rotatable contact-buttons G are set in the position shown in Fig. 1, so that their projections g are in the path of rotation of the 1110 able contact (Z respectively at the graduations of the dial F indicating twelve oclock, quarter to one oclock, six oclock, and eight oclock, then the operation in sounding the alarm and notifying the employees of a shop, factory, (be, that it. is time to begin or stop work is as follows:

In Fig. 1 the time shown is a quarter to one and the alarm will be given at that time. When the minute-hand G arrives, as shown, at the figure IX, so that its outer end comes in contact with the fixed contact or raised portion Z)" on the main dial B, the hour-hand will simultaneously arrive at the graduation on the auxiliary t ial indicating a quarter to one, causing the movable contact (Z on the under side thereof to come in contact with and for a short space of time be pressed in contact with the projection of the button G, arranged at said graduation underneath of it, thus establishing the following electric circuit: From the battery K through the wire 7L, auxiliary dial F, button G, movable contact (Z, hour-hand D, spring-finger C minute-hand O, raised contact-piece Zr, dial 13, wire 7t, and bell J, back to the battery. The circuit being thus closed the alarm will be simultaneously sounded as long as the movable contact on the hourhand is in contact with the projection on the contact-button G. The contact of the movable contact (1' with the projections g of the contact-buttons is maintained for a short interval of time by reason of the prolongation of the point d of the con tact beyond the circumference of the circle described by the projections 9, when they are setaround to a point nearest the axis of the dial, sothat the contact is established and the circuit closed as long as the movable contact (Z is deflected to one side by the projections 9, said movable contact after being carried by each projection being returned to its normal position under the influence of the spring (Z \Vhen the hour-hand sweeps around to six oclock, the movable contact thereon engages with the projection g on the button G and the minute-hand bears at its outer end upon the fixed contact or raised portion bat the upper portion of the dial opposite figure XIL and the alarm is sounded again and the circuit closed in a similar manner at six. Likewise the alarm will be sounded at eight oclock and at twelve oclock.

A multiplicity of combinations can be produced by means of the rotatable buttons G by causing them to indicate different hours or quarterhours. The quarter -hours are shown by dividing each of the twelve divisions around the circumference of the indexdial F into four equal parts, so that the quarter-hours and half-hours, as well as hours, may be indicated by the ringing of the bell, providing, of course, each quarter-hour has a button, such as G.

The invention is particularly useful in factories and shops where a large number of working people are employed, as thereby may be indicated the time to begin work, the time to stop work at noon, the time to resume work again, and the time to stop work for the day. It obviates many inconveniences and disagreeable features in the usual gathering of and assembling of employees, as an employer can always set the clock so that it can give the signal day after day without necessitating resetting, unless the hours for be innin and sto i )in work be chan ed in D b D D 7 t said raised contact, the hour-hand provided with a movable contact, said hands being insulated from their arbors, and said minutehand being electrically connected with the hour-hand, an auxiliary or index dial arranged below and visible through said opening in the main dial, suitable insulating means between the auxiliary and main dials, a set of contact devices on the auxiliary dial, a source of electricity, an alarm, and electrical connections or wires leading from the source of electricity and alarm, respectively to the main dial and to the contact devices on the index-dial, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electric time-signal clock, the combination of the main dial provided with a raised contact on its upper surface, the minute-hand adapted to touch said contact IIO portion and provided on its hub with a contact-finger, the hour-hand, the hub of which is engaged by said contactfinger, a pivoted contact on the under side of the hour-hand, a spring acting on the inner end of the pivoted contact forreturning it into normal position, an auxiliary or index dial arranged below and visible through a central opening in the main dial, means for insulating the two dials from each other, a set of contact devices arranged on the auxiliary or index dial, a source of electricity, an alarm, and electrical connections or wires leading from ERNST BOBSIEN. SIGMUND L. PRAGER.

Witnesses:

PAUL GoEPnL, GEO. L. WHEELocK. 

